Sorry - no photos this time

Yes, I do apologise that this blog is photoless, due to a camera malfunction and the necessity to purchase a new one. I've been doing my research and think I know which one it will be. I'm not really into the serious stuff as long as it takes reasonable snaps that I can use for making cards and to illustrate my blog. I think it might be a Panasonic Lumix FS35 (at a good price in Costco).

If you are reading this Rob I had hoped to reply to your comment but I seem to be having trouble in that area. I was going to agree with you regarding the vast and empty space that was once the walled garden at Calke Abbey - just crying out to be filled with fruit and veg. Before leaving, for £2, I filled a bag with three different varieties of their heritage apples, and managed to scribble down their names on a scrap of paper as I layered them up although, by now, they are rather mixed up in the bag. Lovely names - 'Winter Quarrendon' (eater), 'Dumelows Seedling' (cooker) and 'Malster' (both).

The other day, after a session of clearing and tidying up the plot, I was just about to leave and had locked up the shed, when a long-awaited delivery of horse much arrived, so I barrowed a number of bags down the hill, taking care not to slip on the very mossy path, and dumped them on the front of the plot which I'd recently cleared of its flowers. It all looks very empty down there now - just a few leeks, parsnips and chard. In the greenhouse, back at home, I've pushed three different types of garlic cloves into trays of potting compost. They've taken root and are just showing shoots, so when this much needed and very wet weather has cleared up a bit, I'll take them down to the plot and get them in.

The latest preserve making session was to produce some grape jelly. There are still some big bunches on the vine, but I'll just collect and freeze them, for later use. Today I opened one of my jars of lemon and lime marmalade, and very good it was too - lovely and refreshing.

Last Tuesday we said 'goodbye' to our car. Mike will not be able to drive for two years now, and it would have only deteriorated on the drive, so we made the rather hard decision to part with it. The new owner came up from Hertfordshire on the train, so that he could drive it home, where it will become a taxi. One or two people have suggested that I should learn to drive, but I didn't think that was a very good idea! Anyway, now the drive is empty apart from the rowan berries. They look lovely on the tree, and the blackbirds love them, but they do tread in on our shoes, unless I keep up with the brushing. Now we are dependant upon public transport and the kindness of friends and family.

On Wednesday, for the first time in six months, I joined my walking friends for a 9 miler, setting off from Stramshall, near Uttoxeter. Molly kindly picked me up and brought me home. After such a long break I managed to keep up the pace, and although I did feel rather tired and stiff the following day, I soon recovefred. There were some good views, and the ruins of Croxden Abbey were very interesting. When I got home I had to hose my boots, inside and out, and put my trousers and socks in the washer on their own. Talk about mud and smelly slurry!

The next day we were at the hospital to find out about Mike's latest scan. Not good news, I'm afraid. His current medication is no longer working as it should (it was given 11 months and he has now been on it for 5 1/2 years so we can't really complain) so he will have to switch to anothr drug. We came away with a print-out of the side effects. I'll just leave it at that as it is all rather worrying, but we have no other option I am afraid.